12 Ways to Demonstrate Autism Acceptance (for Autistic folk and Allies)
In honour of Autism Acceptance Month (also known as Autism Awareness Month), this blog post explores just a few ways in which a person might demonstrate autism acceptance, whether they are autistic or an ally to the autistic community.
Naturally, every autistic individual will have their own ways they like to demonstrate autism acceptance for themselves and how they like allies to demonstrate autism acceptance, so please see the suggestions in this post as mere suggestions, only to be taken on board where appropriate.
Without further ado, let’s jump to the suggestions…
Ways autistic people might demonstrate autism acceptance for ourselves:
You deserve to have your needs met, so, where possible, consider making adjustments to support your needs. This might look like putting on noise-cancelling/reducing earphones or headphones when you can tell that you’re overwhelmed (or likely to become overwhelmed) by noise in a particular environment.
Autistic people’s joy and the interests we have that bring us joy are sometimes labelled childish by others, but please don’t let the unfair and unkind judgements of others stop you from doing harmless things that bring you joy. You deserve to have fun and there is nothing wrong with, say, hugging a plushie if that would bring you comfort.
Avoid speaking down to yourself – internally or externally. Adopt a positive self-view and don’t see yourself as inferior because of any challenges you experience. Whilst it is valid to recognise any challenges you may have so that you can honour your truth and make any appropriate adjustments, you can do this without speaking down to yourself. Your worth is not impacted by any challenges you face.
Don’t give weight to anyone’s derogatory/ableist comments about your differences. Who you are is not determined by anyone else’s words. Only you get to determine who you are.
Ways allies might demonstrate autism acceptance for autistic people:
Listen to autistic individuals and respect what we say about our experiences. Our experiences not aligning with stereotypes or commonly held beliefs about autistic people does not negate said experiences.
Take a responsive approach to your allyship and be led by the advocacy and conversations instigated by autistic people. Focus on what we express, and think about how you can support us rather than sitting in the driver’s seat.
Uplift us (but do not speak over us). You could do this by offering to advocate with us in situations where you think this might be helpful and, if you have any platforms, inviting autistic people to share our experiences on them.
When it comes to adjustments, please offer a wide array of adjustments, make them easily accessible and be the one to instigate conversations about them. Our needs are not monolithic, so offering a variety of adjustments will make your spaces more accessible to a greater number of autistic individuals. Further, making adjustments easily accessible and being the one to instigate conversations about them will allow autistic people to feel more welcome and comfortable pursuing and accepting them.
Recognise that adjustments are important and not frivolous or luxuries. An environment can be inaccessible to some autistic people without them.
Do not use adjustments to pressurise autistic people into entering spaces; adjustments should support us and not come with strings attached.
If you are ever unsure which adjustments might be beneficial, speak with a variety of autistic people. If you’re unsure where to start, consider: providing sensory safe spaces; permitting the use of stim toys and sensory aides; and communicating in a direct and purposeful manner (for example, being clear about your expectations).
Value autistic people’s work and compensate us accordingly. For example, when looking to engage the services of an autistic speaker at your event, compensate them for their time and their effort. Do not expect or pressurise an autistic person to provide free labour.
